1

Not usually...:
Dark stools can be a sign of blood in the stool so it is important for you to have this evaluated by your doctor asap. Blood in the stools can be a sign of a serious condition, like cancer, but there are many benign causes of blood in the stools as well. Do not hesitate; get yourself checked out today!
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Unless:
Your insurance requires a referreal to a specialist you can call any gastroenteerologist or colorectal surgeon and get scheduled for a colonosocpy sooner rather than later. The change in your bowels and the mass are not good signs and need to be diagnosed very soon so as to give you the most options on management and the best prognosis.
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6

Not usually...:
Dark stools can be a sign of blood in the stool so it is important for you to have this evaluated by your doctor asap. Blood in the stools can be a sign of a serious condition, like cancer, but there are many benign causes of blood in the stools as well. Do not hesitate; get yourself checked out today!
...Read more

7

Dark Stools:
The color of the stool has more to do with the bacteria in the colon. Leaking blood in the gastrointestinal system may make the stools very dark and tar like. Using pepto-bismol can also give very dark stools. Sometimes dark stools are normal depending on your diet.
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15

Possible:
Certainly the color of foods can affect the color of the stool. Be aware though, that dark stools can also be blood, and that would need to be evaluated asap by a dr. If it persists regardless of what you ate, see dr.
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17

Could be, but...:
Your stool color can be affected by what you have eaten, but one must be careful with dark stools. Black stools, particularly when foul-smelling and pasty, can be a sign of internal bleeding. If you are uncertain whether this could be due to bleeding, see your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Good luck.
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20

Dark stools due to..:
Dark-colored stools may result from iron supplements, foods you eat (like a lot of spinach), substances (like peptobismol), but most significantly suggests bleeding. When blood is denatured by acid in your stomach, as from ulcers, stools will turn dark. Blood may also be ingested from nose bleeds, bleeding gums... If stools remain dark, even after stopping antacids, then please seek md care.
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22

Yes:
You've left me wondering whether the food coloring in oreos can make the stools dark, but a little bleeding into the stomach from alcohol can do this, just as if you had taken bismuth for upset stomach or had popped a few iron pills. If this persists more than a few days, a physician's office visit is in order.
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25

Regular doctor:
Your regular doctor is a great place to start. Not all "dark" stools represent blood loss, so your doctor will help determine whether you need to see a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or a surgeon.
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27

Patience:
Helicobacter causes peptic ulcer disease and is treated with antibiotics along with acid blockers which should have helped your reflux symptoms. You may need to continue the acid blockers longer; your doc can advise. The bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) part of the treatment could have contributed dark stool. Do fecal occult blood test to reassure you're not bleeding, then push fluids, fiber, exercise.
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28

See a doc:
Sound potentially a little concerning, though likely nothing worrisome but need to be sure it's not a partial colon obstruction, with bleeding see a doctor, have you stoll tested for blood, lab test to assure you are not anemic and if indicated may need a colonoscopy good luck and give me a follow up. ....
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Unless:
Your insurance requires a referreal to a specialist you can call any gastroenteerologist or colorectal surgeon and get scheduled for a colonosocpy sooner rather than later. The change in your bowels and the mass are not good signs and need to be diagnosed very soon so as to give you the most options on management and the best prognosis.
...Read more